State firefighter memorial dedicated in Anniston

ANNISTON, AL (WBRC) - There is now a memorial for fallen Alabama firefighters at Anniston’s Centennial Park.

The memorial, which sits across the state law enforcement memorial, was dedicated as part of a 9/11 memorial service in the park.

The wall contains the name of many firefighters who died in the line of duty. During the ceremony, the name of Tracy Sanders was uncovered.

Sanders was killed in a traffic accident in January 2017 while running errands for the Mount Olive Volunteer Fire Deparment, where she served as the department’s first ever female chief.

Governor Kay Ivey said as part of the dedication to Sanders, “We recognize the ultimate sacrifice of Mount Olive’s first female fire chief, Tracy Sanders, and honor her service, she’s a wife and a mother, and certainly she left her mark on her community, and on those who knew her.”

“Every person listed here, did exactly what we do every day,” said Oxford Fire Chief Gary Sparks. “They got up, they went to work, or they answered a volunteer fire call, not knowing what lay ahead for them, or whether they would return.”

Sparks says nine more names will ultimately need to be added to the memorial, but after that, he hopes there will be no more. However, he says that’s not likely possible.